Searching for What Is...

~~~ Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time ~~~

~~~ Isaiah 5:1-7 ~~~ Psalm 80 ~~~ Philippians 4:6-9 ~~~

~~~ Matthew 21:33-43 ~~~

...whatever is true, whatever is honorable,

whatever is just, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,

if there is any excellence

and if there is anything worthy of praise,

think about these things.

We should keep this passage visible in every room of our home.
We should carry this passage on our person everywhere we go.
We should have it scrolling across our computer screens.
It should be embedded on our smart phones.
Why, you may ask?
Because we live in a world where our attention
 is constantly being presented with the total opposite.
Each time we turn on the television we rarely initially
see anything that is lovely, pure, or excellent.
We must search for the truth even from our news reporters.
Our justice system at times causes us to scratch our heads in disbelief.

Today Paul may be telling us that as Christians it is our duty,
our joy, and our responsibility to search for
truth...honor...justice...purity...beauty...graceful...and excellent.
Where can we find those things worthy to be praised?

These are things we must give our minds, hearts, and souls to feed upon.
For if we can feed on these things they will flourish within.
Whatever we can nurture within is sure to come out.

If we cannot find these wonderful things as Paul describes then
it is up to us to be those things to others.
We must live in truth.
We must live with honor.
We must carry justice in our heart and actions.
We must be pure, clean and not harmful in any way.
We must be lovely, beautiful; not to be confused with frills and lace. 

We must be gracious, merciful and kind in every manner.
We must strive for excellence; not necessarily perfection.
We must be the best we can be expecting to improve.

Then the God of peace will be with you.
He is the bearer of blessings and grace all the days of your life.
All that he is is worthy of our praise.
All that he creates is worthy of our praise.
All that is loved and redeemed by him is worthy of praise.

We must hold ourselves accountable to these
words written by Saint Paul.
They were not just for his intended audience that day
they were written for us to hear now on this date in time.
These words were written to nourish our souls today.

Perhaps you can only pick one to focus on each week
 that will be enough.

Get into the habit of focusing on the things that are good.
Keep these words where you can see them often.
The world can be a better place...
it begins with you and me.

Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Blessings from all that is gracious and honorable in your life.
~~~Peace~~~

Agriculture of the Spiritual Life

~~~ 2 Corinthians 9:6-10 ~~~ Psalm 112 ~~~ John 12:24-26 ~~~

 

...bountifully...cheerful...abundance...gracious...lavishly...  

 

These five words are taken from today's readings.

Each one connects to the agriculture of our spiritual life.

 

Bountiful means generous...we are to give of ourselves

to the Lord without holding back any part.

Giving of ourselves freely;

 liberally bestowing our praise upon him.

What you send out to others will return to you plus more.

 

Cheerful...have you heard; be cheerful and pass it on.

God does not want us be sad and long-faced with our devotion to him

If we truly love the Lord how can we not be cheerful?

Be cheerful...people will wonder what you're up to.

 

Abundance...fullness to overflowing...extremely plentiful

God is giving us more than we would even know to request.

His grace is more than sufficient...it is overflowing upon us.

To have more than we need of God's love is meant to share.

 

Gracious...kind...pleasant...merciful...compassionate.

Being gracious in little ways carries over into the rest of your life.

It is the practice cultivated daily in how you respond to others.

God is always gracious, kind, and merciful with us. 

 

Lavishly...something done extravagantly.

 God has been lavishing his love, care, and protection on us since creation.
Everything about creation lavishly tells us about who God is.
There is not one thing that he will not give to you.
Ask and you shall receive...

 

Whoever serves me must follow me...

 

 If we are to follow Jesus we must practice these five spiritual precepts...
Learn to give from our bounty...
 with a cheerful heart...
out of abundant love...
always acting graciously toward others...
Lavishly serving in the presence of the Lord. 

 

 

 

Have you ever taken the time to carefully look at a seed?

They come in varied sizes and shapes.

They are even different in color.

What they do have in common

 is that each tiny seed holds deep inside the potential

to become a unique plant.

 

This wondrous energy for transformation is dormant until

just the right environment is provided.

 

Jesus uses the wheat plant for his analogy in the gospel,

but I invite you to consider the sunflower.

The sunflower formation consists of many seeds housed

 right in the center of the flower head.

It is the seeds that are important.

They are enhanced by the brilliant yellow petals

which frame them so perfectly.

The sunflower proudly nourishes the seeds

until they have stored enough nutrients to survive

without the support of the flower.

 

The beautiful flower surrenders its life...its beauty

so that more of its kind can continue to grow.

 

God is able to make every grace abundant for you,
so that in all things, always having all you need,
you may have an abundance for every good work.

 

Imagine the potential one seed holds...

what you sow today may last a lifetime.

Blessings come in releasing the seed...letting it go.